MotorDeets

Dodge Ram problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Ram from 1990 to 2011: 3,973 owner complaints and 109 recalls across 22 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1996 (625), 1995 (611), 1998 (483). Best fuel economy: 22 mpg combined (1990).

Dodge Ram
Photo: NickWilson1964 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Brakes (hydraulic)787
Transmission & drivetrain654
Steering368
Electrical358
Airbags349
Engine & cooling348
Suspension347
Speed control / throttle214

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
199002322
199125119
199215819
199305419
19941846917
19951261116
19961062516
1997739816
19981348316
1999936616
2000614716
2001931816
2002211616
200325316
200415816
200504016
200602516
200711716
200822517
20095916
201052716
20114016

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Dodge Ram.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Dodge Ram?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1996 (625), 1995 (611), 1998 (483).

How many recalls has the Dodge Ram had?

Across 1990–2011, NHTSA lists 109 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).